Post-turbinectomy nasal packing with Merocel versus glove finger Merocel: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial

Nasal packs are widely used after septoplasty and turbinectomy. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial including 100 patients who underwent septoplasty with/or without turbinectomy randomized into two groups. In the first group (the Merocel group), a standard tampon was inserted at the end of surgery. In the second group (the glove finger group), the tampon was first placed inside a glove finger. The main outcomes measured were pain and bleeding during the postoperative period and during tampon removal. Consumption of pain killers and tranexamic acid were also recorded. The mean visual analog scale score 12 hours after surgery and during tampon removal in the Merocel group were 6.78 and 8.92, respectively, compared to 4.06 and 5.27, respectively, in the glove finger group (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference in the bleeding rate and tranexamic acid consumption during tampon removal in favor of the Merocel group was shown (p < 0.001). The use of Merocel in a glove finger is significantly less painful, although a higher chance of bleeding is reported. The influence of the surgeon's experience in using this technique needs further investigation.